Rick Broida

Freelance web designer Phil Gyford has compiled a thorough guide to freelancing, covering everything from marketing yourself to dealing with distractions. Although some of the information is tailored to programmers, much of it is worthwhile reading for anyone thinking of taking the freelance leap.

Decide why you want to freelance. What's your aim? Maybe you want to do a specific kind of work, or work with a certain kind of person or company? Maybe you simply want to avoid commuting. Maybe you want to earn as much money as possible or work as little time as possible. Whatever the reason, it would help now and in the future to be clear on your ambition, even if it's only so you can check back occasionally if you're feeling dispirited.

This is great stuff, and I particularly like the titles of some of Phil's sections: "You are your own project manager," "You are your own legal department," and so on.